Colin Kaepernick watches from the sidelines after he lead an offensive drive against Green Bay in the second quarter Friday night. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

Colin Kaepernick did not stand during the national anthem before his exhibition-season debut Friday night and admitted afterward it was a political statement.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Kaepernick added that it wasn’t something he alerted anyone rom the 49ers about in advance.

“This is not something that I am going to run by anybody,” he said. “I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. … If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.”

The 49ers issued their own statement, recognizing, if not fully supporting, Kaepernick’s right to sit:

“The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pre-game ceremony,” the team’s statement began. “It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens.

“In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.”

Kaepernick was not asked about the situation after the game in his press conference, which was followed about an hour later by ProFootballTalk.com’s first report on the story. Kaepernick sat in front of the water coolers on the 49ers sideline while all his other teammates stood during the national anthem.

The NFL states that Kaepernick did not violate any league policy. “Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem,” Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communications, said in a statement.

Kaepernick has used his social-media platform, particularly Instagram and Twitter where he has over two million followers, to relay views on race, religion and politics for much of the past year, including prior to his Nov. 2 loss of the 49ers starting quarterback job. Kaepernick, however, has re-tweeted others’ posts on those accounts, presumably to convey his similar thoughts.

He conducted his last two media sessions, Wednesday and Friday, wearing a cap with an ‘X’ in honor of civil rights activist Malcolm X.

Twenty years ago, the NBA suspended the Denver Nuggets’ Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf one game for sitting during the national anthem.

The NFL did not immediately return an email seeking comment whether Kaepernick could face any disciplinary action.

After not suiting up for the 49ers first two exhibitions because of a sore throwing shoulder, Kaepernick made his debut during Friday’s 21-10 loss to the Packers. He replaced Blaine Gabbert for the second quarter, and in only 12 snaps, he completed 2-of-6 passes for 14 yards while also running four times for 18 yards.

Kaepernick’s on-field cameo consisted of three series and one first down as he couldn’t move the first-strong offense past its 36-yard line. Kaepernick’s career took off four years ago, especially with a playoff-opening win over the Packers, who he also beat in the 2013 season’s playoffs.

His three-year run as the starter ended midway through last season when then-coach Jim Tomsula benched him in favor of Blaine Gabbert.

Kaepernick requested a trade in February and explores a potential deal with the Denver Broncos before both sides couldn’t agree to a restructured contract. Kaepernick’s $11.9 million base salary this season became guaranteed in April.

Asked after the game and before the 49ers confirmed Kaepernick’s anthem sit-in, coach Chip Kelly dismissed the notion the franchise might cut the embattled quarterback.

there any chance Colin would be cut before Week One?

“We’ve never had a conversation about that,” Kelly said. “That’s never come up. There’s never been a conversation about cutting Colin Kaepernick.”

Kelly is expected to address the media again Saturday on a conference call.

Kaepernick is seen sitting on the sideline in a pregame image posted by NinersNation.com reporter Jennifer Chan: